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Species and Locations

Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) CREDIT: Michael Schirmacher

White-nose Syndrome is a disease that is killing hibernating bats across much of North America.

The impact of this disease is unprecedented. Since bats are the primary predators of night-flying insects, we can expect to see significant ecosystem changes in the coming years. The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) was once the most common bat in North America; today, it is being considered for protection under the US Endangered Species Act. The northern long-eared bat (M. septentrionalis) has recently been listed as Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act, due to losses incurred from WNS.

More than half of the 47 species of bats that live in the U.S. hibernate in caves and mines to survive the winter. Four of these bats are federally endangered (Indiana, gray, Virginia and Ozark big-eared bats) and live within or near WNS-affected areas.

A total of seven species of bats have been diagnosed with the disease in North America. Seven additional species (†) have been found with the fungus, but have not yet developed the disease.